Marshalls to lose revenue over fish deal collapse

The Marshall Islands stands lose substantial revenue after the US reneged on its treaty with Pacific Islands nations.

As of the beginning of this year, all US fishing boats have stopped fishing because the nearly 30-year-old tuna treaty with the Forum Fisheries Agency has collapsed.

The Marshall Islands fisheries director, Glen Joseph, says a deal is a deal but adds that it has no doubt hone sour.

He says no payment by the US of its 17 million US dollar first quarter fishing fee will have a significant impact on all 17 FFA members, and particularly the eight Parties to the Nauru Agreement, including Marshall Islands.

Transform Aqorau, who heads the PNA, says US had insisted on asking for more fishing days than they needed.

He says now that the US no longer wants them it is an internal problem for the US.

A factor in the mix is the collapse of world market skipjack tuna prices, which are currently below 1,000 dollars per ton, in part due to over-supply.